All 50 states have ignition interlock laws on the books. If you’ve been convicted of drunk driving, or if you refused to submit to a chemical test, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle(s). But if you drive for a living, or you drive a work vehicle, how does that apply to your case? You may be eligible for the employer exemption for ignition interlock devices.
Your DUI lawyer and your state Department of Transportation or Department of Motor Vehicles can give you the specifics that apply to your case. In this article, we discuss the exemption in general terms.
The Reasons Behind the Employer Exemption for Ignition Interlock Devices
Initially, many states applied the ignition interlock device requirement to ANY vehicle an offender drove. That requirement resulted in some people being fired from their jobs. As a result, some states instituted an employer exemption for ignition interlock devices. This means those states have determined that if you drive a work vehicle strictly for work reasons, and it is owned or leased by your employer an ignition interlock device is not required on that vehicle in order for you to drive it.
Examples of who might want to apply for the employer exemption assuming the employer agrees, include:
- Delivery truck drivers
- Semi-truck drivers
- Delivery van drivers
- Limousine or taxi drivers
- Construction workers or HVAC workers who use a company vehicle
- And more
Now let’s face it. Some employers will fire you for a drunk driving conviction if driving is a big part of your job. Other employers may reassign you for the duration of your restricted driving period. Still, others may allow you to drive one of their work vehicles with some specific requirements. Each case is different, and each employer is different. Be advised, the exemption most certainly DOES NOT apply if you are self-employed and own your work truck, big rig, or delivery van.
States with an Employer Exemption for Ignition Interlock Devices
For states with the employer exemption for ignition interlock devices, there is a lot of paperwork involved, and there is no guarantee you will be granted the exemption.
As of this writing, here are the states who list that they have an employer exemption for ignition interlock devices:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
If your state allows the employer exemption for ignition interlock devices, if your employer agrees, filling out the proper paperwork should allow you to drive the work vehicle for business purposes only. You will still have to get the ignition interlock device installed on your personal vehicle, and drive your personal vehicle to and from work.
Trying to cheat the system and driving the work vehicle for personal reasons can land you in legal trouble. If you have an ignition interlock restricted license and you’re caught driving a non-equipped vehicle during non-work hours (if you have the employer exemption) you could face fines, revocation of your restricted license, and more.
Installing an Ignition Interlock Device on Your Work Vehicle
If your employer values you as an employee, and wants to allow you to keep driving the work vehicle, but your state doesn’t have the employer exemption for ignition interlock devices, we can help.
Your employer may want to let you drive, but needs some assurance that you will not drink and drive in the company vehicle. If that’s the case, we can install an ignition interlock device in your work vehicle. We work with employers and commercial vehicles every day. Installing an ignition interlock device on a commercial vehicle is really no different than installing it on a personal vehicle.
If you’re an employer and you want to install ignition interlock devices in your commercial fleet as a precaution, we can do that as well. The information the device records would be transmitted to you rather than a state monitoring agency.
Schedule Your Ignition Interlock Device Installation Today
ALCOLOCK has ignition interlock device installation locations all across the country. Check out our service center locations page to find one that’s convenient for you. Then, you can call the service center directly, or call us at (866) 700-9300. You can also use our contact form, and someone will get back to you quickly,
Your installation appointment will take about an hour. That time includes installing the device, as well as calibrating it and training you on how to use it properly. Your technician will also schedule your first maintenance visit. Those visits take about 20 minutes. Our goal is to get you back on the road quickly.